How to Build a DIY Garden Trellis That WIll Transform Your Backyard

Give your plants a place to climb.

A trellis with red climbing roses in a sunny garden — Credit:
Getty / Ajax9

Whether you're growing a vegetable garden or a paradise full of colorful climbing roses, many of these plants need extra support to thrive. A simple garden trellis will give them structure, guiding their growth and providing them with the space that they need.

Your trellis doesn't need to be too complicated. In fact, it's easy to DIY one at home with materials from the hardware store. Want to try your hand at building one? Here's everything you need to know.

How to Build an A-Frame Trellis

An A-frame trellis is surprisingly easy to put together. It's perfect for larger seasonal vegetables, like melons or squash. You'll need vertical poles and either wood, bamboo, or wire for the horizontal growing supports, along with nails or garden wire.

Step One: Drive Two Supports Into the Ground

Drive two vertical support poles into the ground, and attach them at the top in an A-shape. Repeat this process to make the structure as long as you need.

Step Two: Attach Horizontal Supports

Using either wood, bamboo, or wire, create horizontal supports that run the length of your trellis. Attach them with either garden wire or nails. If you use wood or bamboo, you'll have a sturdier grid. Wire will create more of a horizontal net.

How to Build a Pyramid Trellis

Pyramid trellis in garden — Credit:
Getty Images / Photography By Tonelson

"For garden climbers like vining green beans and tomatoes, I prefer creating standalone pyramid structures," says Mitchell Rabold-Pearson, owner of Rabolds' Landscape Gardening. "Each structure uses four 8-foot poles, at least 3 inches in diameter. I typically use pine or cedar for their texture and aesthetic."

Step One: Cut the Poles to the Correct Size

Decide on the trellis size for your plants, then cut them. "Cut the end of each pole that goes into the ground at a 45-degree angle," says Rabold-Pearson.

Step Two: Tamp the Poles Into the Ground

Rabold-Pearson recommends enlisting the help of a friend to assemble the pyramid. "It's easier to build these with two people: One to hold and support the poles, and the other to use a mallet to tamp the poles into the ground at a slight angle," he says.

Step Three: Fasten the Poles Together

"Once the poles are in place, they'll form a teepee shape. Fasten them together at the top with thick garden twine," says Rabold-Pearson. He then adds twine in two evenly spaced sections between the top and bottom for additional support.

How to Build a Grid Trellis

Grid trellis of flowers — Credit:
Getty Images / Cavan Images

A grid trellis can be an attractive way to vertically guide flowers or vines. It can also be used solely for practical purposes and to support vegetables for a growing season.

You'll need vertical supports, such as bamboo poles or wood, and horizontal grid supports made from the same material—or something simple like wire.

Step One: Map Out Your Grid

If this is a permanent trellis designed for plants like roses or wisteria, then you may want to opt for a larger grid. However, for a seasonal trellis, it only needs to be as big as your plants will grow during the season.

Step Two: Secure the Vertical Supports

Drive the vertical supports into the ground, spacing them out evenly.

Step Three: Attach the Horizontal Grid Supports

Attach the supports from top to bottom. Wire can be wrapped around the vertical supports, while wood horizontal grid supports may need to be nailed in for a more permanent solution.

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How to Build a Cage Trellis

Hands tying a stick to a bamboo post with string outdoors — Credit:
aire images / Getty Images

Whether you have top-heavy dahlias that need support as they grow or tomatoes that might topple over from the weight of their own fruit, a cage trellis is a great way to add structure to your garden. This will surround your plant to give it the support it needs.

You can easily build this trellis using bamboo poles and garden twine.

Step One: Decide on the Right Size

A cage trellis can be built to fit your garden. Decide on a height, then cut four bamboo poles to the correct size for the four-sided support. Often, these range from 4 to 6 feet.

Cut shorter bamboo poles to connect each pole. The number of shorter poles will depend on the number of necessary cross supports.